Can America Be Grand Again?

CAN WE ALL JUST BE AMERICANS AGAIN
WORK TOGETHER, LEADING THE FREE WORLD!

November 9, 2012 ~ Toledo OH
http://grandfactor.blogspot.com
Article may be quoted / cited with copyright and Link 
THE GRANDING OF AMERICA
c 2012 Lonn Dugan, Founder Emeritus
Chief Evangelist For Granding Baby Boomer Generation

 http://thegrandfactor.blogspot.com

CAN AMERICA BE GRAND AGAIN?

One Country Cannot Function In Two Colors. Can we be AMERICANS AGAIN?  ARE WE READY FOR A RENAISSANCE?  WILL WE DRIVE THAT RENAISSANCE?  I predict hat Granding Americans or Granding Boomers will do just that!

I DON'T AGREE with EVERYTHING said by any CANDIDATE for ANY OFFICE.  But the election IS over.  That's been decided.  Now it's time for another choice.  Are you going to be part of the problem, or part of the solution.  

No matter who you voted for, THIS IS THE OBAMA ERA.  Something has been set in motion.  Time only moves one way... Forward.  I hope we can all CHOOSE FORWARD and start pulling together as the greatest nation on earth instead of like a two party system that has each advancing their own agendas instead of running the country.  

MAY I SUGGEST that it's time to get some things done to Restore America's leadership role in the world.  Republicans and Democrats need to work together.

Instead of TAXING the MIDDLE CLASS to pay for the economic recovery (we already shouldered the auto and bank bailouts), it's time for the WEALTHY to stimulate THEIR OWN ECONOMY.  A TAX PLAN that includes Redistribution WITHOUT raising tax on the middle class needs to be put in place.  It's not taking from the Rich, it's poking them in the arse to reinvest in their own wealth building activities. 

SEE:  THE SMART PEOPLE with money know a good thing when they see it. They benefit so much from an active economy that they chose to invest in America.  Now, with the externalities and nuances that are in play in the economy, they have been hunkered down.  It would behoove the wealthy to contemplate the benefits of behaving in socially responsible ways, just as governments do when they spend into the winds of a recession to turn back the problem. There are trickle down benefits when the rich get richer. Redistribution of wealth is a hot topic these days. The thing is, the money comes back to them when they sell more of their own stuff. The engine of economy requires Fuel. Money is best. So, for this reason I don't think we can hike taxes for all. I bet we don't have to add salt to the economic wound in consumer spending that was just starting to heal. 

Consider, how one might start an ADVENTURE CALLED ECONOMIC RECOVERY.  Let's compare it to planning for your next vacation.  Before you set out, would you fill your gas tank, or drain it?  Would you set up your car to leak gasoline off one side as fast as you filled the other? You wouldnt get far! No, you bite the bullet. You fill'er'up FIRST. Only THEN can you make the trip. So, let's get this economy going. Money supply is running low, all on the sidelines. We need to fill'er'up in order to set out on the adventure that lies before our nation. The American Dream is being re-born. It's the same American Dream, but different. Different times, a few new values, older ones nuanced. Baby boomers are becoming the GRAND GENERATION! See < >>. And we are not settling for second best. The world has changed. We as a nation and economy slipped. Tripped. Fell Hard. But you can't keep a good people down. 

America will lead a new global village in a new way. Everybody wants to preserve status quo, but that is not now AMERICA works. Some OLD THINK in politics has to give way. Times have changed. Some OLD THINK will stay true for ever. Truth doesn't change. 

Our FOUNDING FATHERS were immigrant money.  We should not fear but welcome foriegn investment and foriegn trade.  FOUNDING FATHERS took the position, "Out with what doesn't work, and let's try something new", when they came to this country in the first place. How about when they rebelled against old fashioned religio-political government. Let's do it again. 

Let's fuel up the economy by asking the Rich to invest in America. We are not taking their money, but asking them to toss a boomerang and The money will come back full circle to them. If it shows no sign of working, Then - and only then, should we ask, "Do we need to add a higher tax on the middle class family with a modest income - just to pay for the rich getting richer, again?" After all, it was the same AMERICA that provided the land of opportunity for them to build that wealth in the first place. 

I am not even sure you need to tax static wealth as highly as active wealth. I don't want to be taxed on highly secure inflation hedge investments but don't mind reinvesting some of the proceeds of active wealth building. Socially responsible individuals know that they stand on the shoulders of giants, or at least on the shoulders of the AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS.

SO LETS GET TO IT... Together.... As AMERICANS who CAN DO, and not as politicians fighting each other. 

###

PS. I have not been involved in the political arena in Toledo until now, but I some thoughts on what happened and what will come next.  I hope for a meaningful discussion.

Read More:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/lonn-dugan/rekindling-the-american-dream-in-the-obama-era/10151101909277547

Aging Provides Opportunity and Strength

Aging is not lost youth,

but a new stage of opportunity and

strength.  ~Betty Friedan~

A GRAND FACTOR generation flexing marketing muscle

A GRAND FACTOR Generation

Flexing muscles, pushing media and marketing

to INCREASE font size please!


Discussion on facebook, my page, 4-14-12

Maturity in the world means maturity in the Spirit 


Easter Reflection: On being JESUS without a Church?

I am going to take some flak for this, but that decision has been made. Consider: 

Jesus was not popular at his house of worship. 
There was always some kind resistance.
The power of Organized Religion was on the wane.
Then and as at our present time.

I know EASTER is taught as being about sacrifice.
THE Supreme sacrifice was made at the Cross.
A particularly gruesome experience.
Designed to relieve us of GUILT and Shame.

But... THAT WAS A BEGINNING, NOT AN END!!!!!!!!
This was also a time of perfecting for US. We were given
the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

This really needs NO TRANSLATION:

(Eph Ch 1:18-21) (NIV)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

NOW: Unpacking 1 Corinthians 13:1, (New American Standard)

10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like
a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away
with childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly,
but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will
know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Translation:

Didn't Christ make us perfect?
Isn't the work fully done.
Then shouldn't we move on?

Paul is saying put away the MILK and chew on the meat of the word!

Even more, he said (my paraphrase).....

Grow up. Look in the Mirror. Come face to face with the result of
Sanctification, which is YOUR DIVINITY. Stop playing in the kiddie pool.
If you don't understand this YET, then faith, hope and love are the safer
choices for contemplation and prayer. But if you get it then.....

YOU ARE THE RISEN CHRIST
(fully divine in spiritual terms and fully human in the flesh)

YOU SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.
(the world is your footstool. your heel can crush the serpen't head)

YOU REIGN NOW. A THOUSAND YEARS IS AS ONE DAY.

The church may not be happy about it but the veil has been torn.
I have full access to the holy of holies.
The alter and mercy seat belong to me.
I claim a royal priesthood.
I belong to the family of God as A son, an fellow heir.

Whatsoever is lovely, of good report: These things attract my attention.
So... I do not celebrate the Death, but the Resurrection.

A CONFESSION: I would not be here without there having been part of a CHURCH.

But at some point, the SYNAGOGUE could not contain the Spirit of Christ.
THE CHURCH can no longer contain the spirit of Christ within me.
My consciousness has ascended with the clouds until I am One with Him
Being One with Him who is ONE WITH HIM means I AM ONE WITH ALL.

This understanding comes AFTER the spiritual childhood.
But the CHURCH cannot harness this Spirit of the Living Christ?
Why? I wonder.... And cry. But I move on - putting away the
things of spiritual immaturity and claiming the glorious inheritance
that is mine Through Christ.

HAS THE ORGANIZED CHURCH FAILED TO TAKE US TO MATURITY?
IS IT THREATENED BY THIS IDEA?

Instead of this being heretical, I propose it is Wisdom teaching us
that after our travail of fighting through spiritual adolescence and
a time of public ministry, we ourselves become the WAY, the TRUTH,
and the LIGHT. We become Emmanuel. We become God With US.
I no longer live but Christ lives in me.

If the church creates babies, then what? The Holy Spirit creates saints.

We are not found in the church.
We are found in the highways and byways.
We are found in the countryside in our homes.
We are found at the gates of the city and in the marketplaces.
Perhaps we live at a distance from the physical temple or congregation. Yet we influence the Family of God by providing counsel to Kings (in our clubs, organizations, workplace, city hall, government - etc.

Even if not part of the formal church?
Even if rejected by the formal church during times they fall away.
We can say I AM and that the organized church is missing the boat.

Selah

###

This is a growing trend in America, and maybe the world.
What about you? Can you be Jesus without a Church?
Or do you disagree?


http://spiritwordtoday.blogspot.com

This GRAND COUPLE Went to the Doctor Together

And ended up entertaining strangers in the waiting area : ) 

Category:  "Going To The Doctor"  Guaranteed to make you smile.

Grandchildren help us along the way to BECOMING GRAND!

Grandchildren help us along the way to BECOMING GRAND.

IF, as the Bible says, Children are given for the perfecting of the Parents,

then Grandchildren are part of the final gloss to be applied!

The GRAND FACTOR: Chapter Ideas:

CHAPTERS WILL FOCUS ON THEMES SEEN IN THIS BLOG  


Here are some ideas

The Grand Factor & Grand Children


The Grand Factor and Grand Relationships


The Grand Factor and The Wardrobe


The Grand Factor and SEX!


The Grand Factor and Eating Better To Live Longer


The Grand Factor and Buying QUALITY instead of PRICE


The Grand Factor and Hot Tubs
(and Other SENSELESS LUXURIES)


The Grand Factor and Hunting, Fishing, Traveling, Boats, RV's and the like.


The Grand Factor and Media
Cutting the Cables:  No Phone Line or Cable Company Needed.

The Grand Factor and CONVERGENT MEDIA
Entertain ME - My Way - When, Where, and On Any Screen I CHOOSE!


The Grand Factor and Travel


The Grand Factor and the Bucket List

WHAT IS THE GRAND FACTOR?

CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS THE GRAND FACTOR

Surprise!  

Getting Older is Not All Bad!  In fact, parts of it are pretty darn good!

Maybe you don’t move as nimbly as you used to?  And maybe you have a lot of new friends with names that end in "ITIS" or "OSIS".  Maybe you have suddenly discovered parts you never thought much about, and the maladies they are subject to?  

But I'll bet you ALSO have more Joy in your life!  Some of this is brought on by the ability to afford work saving tools, buttons, gadgets, and appliances to help you get your work done faster and easier than ever before!  This also applies to gadgets that help you remember things and manage useful information like phone numbers, web sites, appointments, and photo albums.  God knows it's easier to remember things when you have a personal digital assistant (PSA).    

You may have more PLAY TIME too.  My wife and I got a hot tub this Thanksgiving.  I have been in it almost nightly for the last two months.  The joy of weightlessness and the time spent contemplating clouds, stars, and moon phases are a pure luxury.  It's far better than anything I ever imagined as far as hot tubs go.  Can you picture a 30 something parent of 2.5 children finding time to hit the hot tub every night?  Hardly!

As you can see, BECOMING GRAND has its benefits!     

Perhaps you LAUGH MORE when spending time with Grandchildren?  Perhaps you CORRECT children and even colleagues LESS? Perhaps you GARDEN MORE and RUN LESS.  Do you grow PRIZE DAHLIAS or Raise DISCUS FISH instead of survive Hamsters and PUPPIES?  Maybe you train a BONSAI into a graceful form, study some NEW RELIGION, or LISTEN TO MUSIC more than you have for the last 20 or so child-rearing or career oriented years?  

For Some, the MONEY is better now.  And the HORIZONS are BIGGER.  For some - anyway.  The economy of the GREAT RECESSION did some mean things to retirement plans - mine included.  More than impact the money, it impacted expectations.  I will probably work 10 more years than my parents did.  It may be 20 or 30 more years.  In some ways, Labor Lost.  Middle Management Lost.  And the Middle Class Lost.  But WE ARE NOT DONE YET!

Some of the lessons were hard.  But in other ways, we are richer for our pain.  The Lessons are still being processed, but parts of this life stage are better than ever.  Even if cash flow is not huge, having the kids gone doing their own thing leaves more for use to spend on things we enjoy.   

There are more tools available to manage the tasks and details of our lives.  We have more skills in things like patience, perseverance, relationships, and generosity.  We now know the meaning of Love.  There is a deeper appreciation for nature, serendipity, grace, forgiveness.  There is a quieter wisdom.  Still waters run deep!    

There is an easiness at times that lets you enjoy a sunrise, sunset, birdsong, or sunny day more than you have ever done so at any other time in your life. 

We are NOT our parents. We did not do Adolescence, or “30 Something” in any way remotely resembling the way our parents did.  We don’t fit demographic or lifestyle stereotypes - but maybe we do still like classic rock and blue jeans ; )

This then is the Grand Factor.  We have money to spend if we want to.  And WE ARE HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!

Are You Channeling the GRAND FACTOR Lately?

This blog should lead to a publishing opportunity for a book publisher.  

WHY?  Because Baby Boomers Reinvent Every Age/Stage Market They Hit.
And we have been very vocal about doing so!

I hope to write and eBook that is worthy of getting picked up by a book publisher.    

·         Working Titles: 

·        BECOMING GRAND

 The GRAND FACTOR or BECOMING GRAND
·         GRAND TIMES ARE JUST BEGINNING FOR Older Americans

·         SEASONS AND SABBATICALS or Spirit, Seasons & Sabbaticals

·         Seasons and Sabbatical

FORWARD

Sabbaticals are underrated.  Well done Sabbaticals contribute to health, physical wellness, spiritual well being, mental vigor, and WEALTH of a whole culture and society.  I just took one.  I learned some things that might help you with your own progress toward BECOMING GRAND  

THE GRAND FACTOR explores various observations of self declared Social Scientist, Charles Brite, who holds Post Graduate Level Honorary Degrees from the COLLEGE OF HARD KNOCKS (Summa Cum Lauda).  Fields of inquiry include Economics,  Business Practices, Psychology, Philosophy, Comparative Religion, Human Relationships, Photography, Gardening, Food, Travel, Lifestyle and Demographics, Poetry and Technical Writing.  

INTRODUCTION

YOU have to admit that “Becoming Senior” has certain advantages.    No, “MATURING” is not ALL fun ~ But what is?  Being “21” or “40 Something” had it’s downside too.  

The BIG DEAL is that Baby Boomers are entering relatively unexplored territory.  Previously held values like ACCOMPLISHMENT are sliding while new drivers are focused on ENJOYING LIFE and “GENERATIVITY”.  That last is just a fancy word for “MEANING and PURPOSE” for some.  I call it the GRAND FACTOR. Organized Religion is giving way to Personal Religion based on Enlightenment or "MINDFULNESS”, 

Welcome to a collection of observations about those who are maturing into a new Demographic and Economic powerhouse in this new millennium.  Baby Boomers are not like their parents.  The Silent Generation came and went without saying much : )  We who boomed the music and flower power business in ‘60’s and then drove the economic growth and digital revolution of the 70's, 80's and ‘90’s are starting to hit a completely unexpected place in our lives.  And you know what?  Getting older is not what we thought it was (A HEARTY THANK YOU to our Higher Power, God, The Universe, or whatever term for supreme order and social justice that you prefer).   

It turns out that much of what we think we know about religion, psychology, and sociology comes from studies and reports focused on the abnormal or that which deviated from the norm.  Great medicines were invented.  Great technologies have been harnessed.  Great philosophies and ideas have proven the test of time.  Other equally revered ideas have not.  The truth is that there has not been much real work done on Healthy Mature human thought and behavior.  Until now.   

If you are a Boomer, working out your own coming of age, now into your true prime of life, then this book is; About you; For you; Written by your Footsteps through Life, including an unbelievable effect on the economy!    

  

More Inspiring GRAND FACTOR photos from MSNBC Article

More GRAND FACTOR ON DISPLAY in popular media

From the Ladies at MSNBC! 

The GRAND FACTOR rides again! She looks like a fun lady!

There is nothing OLD about Being GRAND!  

Doesn't she look like a fun lady?  

Granny is now a "Glam-Ma" and SHE ROCKS!

MSNBC Shares 

"Our modern society is inundated with flawless images that idolize youth. In spite of our culture’s impossible quest to ‘"top the clock", TODAY style editor and Bobbie.com’s Bobbie Thomas offers some inspiration on growing old gracefully, thanks to the women and everyday icons of Advanced Style."

Age-defying style secrets from fearless, fashionable 'glam-mas'

http://thelook.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10243850-age-defying-style-secrets-from-fearless-fashionable-glam-mas

Grand is NOT OLD but FABULOUS!

This GRAND GENERATION is a game changer!

In economic times that are difficult for younger folks these days, the GRAND GENERATION is Breaking all the rules!  If you are over 45, you know that when Parents Get OLD they are supposed to get QUIET and SLOW, and TIGHT with their money...  except for what is spent on Grandchildren : )

You may have heard of BABY BOOMERS and Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z.   But WE are the GRAND GENERATION and WE won't do it that way because we have the GRAND FACTOR Going for us.

Our generation is ACTIVE, SELF CONFIDENT, FLAMBOYANT, and willing to SPEND BIG MONEY in the GRAND YEARS!  

 Just ask the LA TIMES

"In a survey of millionaire boomers by investment firm U.S. Trust, only 49% said it was important to leave money to their children when they die. The low rate was a big surprise for a company that for decades has advised wealthy people how to leave money to their heirs."  

It's a Fascinating Article!  Read More:   

MONEY

45

Old People Are Spending All Their Money

By Edith Zimmerman | September 6, 2011

"I do not see my baby boomer clients giving up a vacation or wine or dinners out so that they can leave more money to their children ... They say, 'If there's something at the end I'd love [the kids] to have it, but what's important for me now is to get what I've earned, which is to travel and have a nice bottle of wine.'"
—Baby boomers are drinking your inheritance.

THE GRAND GENERATION Gets Their Own HIT TV SHOW on NBC

Betty White's New Show - OFF THEIR ROCKERS is HIGH-LARIOUS!  
(Mile High Club Anyone?)   HAVE YOU SEEN IT?   Betty Exemplifies the GRAND FACTOR in so many ways.  She may have invented it!  She is Easy Going, Fun, and Comfortable Flashing the Yournger Generation with the Magnificence of being (GRAND).  It's kind of like Candid Camera but Betty Style!

Watch the Whole Premier Episode, right here! 

LAUGHTER GUARANTEED !!!!!!!!  (or your money back)

Going in Grand Style

Grand Grandma Tells Cop the Truth - The Whole Truth - Nothing But The Truth! 

When you are Grand You Can....

When you get older (OF COURSE I MEAN "GRANDER") then you take a minute, now and then, to read something like the following.  And you have a good belly laugh.* The Dachshund & The PinkPig This Dachshund is fostering this little guy for another  mom who couldn't take care of him.   He had his eyes  closed, but now they are open.  He is just a little bigger than her other pups.  She loves this little guy as much as the other puppies  and she is nursing him back to health.   He is the  cleanest pig-puppy ever, because she licks him all  the time!  HIS NAME IS PINK.... ISN'T THIS THE MOST PRECIOUS THING!!!?  'Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.' THIS IS 2012 Don't take life so seriously! DANCE REST GET RETAIL THERAPY SLEEP A LITTLE KISS A LOT! RELAX IN NATURE HAVE FUN GIGGLE A LOT SCREAM AT THE TOP OF YOUR VOICE TAKE A BUBBLE BATH AND BE HAPPY!!!! Do you feel like working today? Tomorrow? The day after? Next week? Next Month? Me neither! I just want to party! You... ...........have a GREAT Day!!!   -- Blessed are the cracked,for they are the ones who let in the light ; ) ______________________________________________________________ *     I really don't think anybody minds that I stole this content.  It was stolen online from somebody who probably also stole it somewhere else.  The introductory commentary and body of work that surrounds it causes it to fall under "fair use" anyway.  IF you did write it, shoot the photos, or participate in some way, just let me know and I will be happy to give credit were due : ) BTW:  No harm came to any animals who helped make this film ; )